Hundreds of Sun Valley-area students will connect to hands-on field experiences through a program provided by outdoor education nonprofit Sierra Nevada Journeys. Thanks to a $10,000 donation from Washoe County special district funds directed by Washoe County Commissioner Mariluz Garica, students from several nearby schools will participate in science and team-building activities at Sun Valley Regional Park.
Third, fourth and fifth-grade students from Esther Bennett, Sun Valley and Virginia Palmer elementary schools will board a bus and travel to Sun Valley Regional Park for a field day with Sierra Nevada Journeys.
“Increasing access to our amazing parks and providing educational opportunities is very important to me. What a fantastic way to kick off the new school by getting kids outside and doing hands-on activities that build confidence in STEM and a stronger connection to nature and their peers. Sun Valley Regional park is an ideal location for outdoor learning as it has hundreds of acres of open space, abundant wildlife and unusual rock outcroppings,” says Mariluz Garcia, Washoe County Commission District 3. “I was first introduced to Sierra Nevada Journeys over a decade ago through my work with Dean's Future Scholars at the University of Nevada Reno, which serves low-income, first-generation college students throughout Washoe County and surrounding tribal communities. Year after year, I personally witnessed the transformational change in our students and parents after participating in the amazing programming of Sierra Nevada Journeys and I wanted to bring similar experiences to the students of Sun Valley available right in their backyard,” added Garcia.
“We’re thrilled that Commissioner Garcia had the vision to support students in the Sun Valley area with outdoor education experiences at their regional park. Sierra Nevada Journeys is ready to serve, and we’re excited to get these kids outside and learning!” says Sean Hill, CEO with Sierra Nevada Journeys.
Students will start the day with an opening circle ceremony and then shift into some educational and team-building exercises. These activities bring together teamwork and trust-building with classmates, a great way to start the school year.
Students will then embark on a nature hike journaling along the way. They’ll use their five senses to observe their surroundings. Students will also use the “I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of” exploration technique which helps them develop a mindset of curiosity as they engage with the natural world.
Sierra Nevada Journeys, a 501(c)(3) organization that serves the Northern Nevada and Northern California regions, provides a range of science and leadership education opportunities for children and teens designed to meet state science standards and improve educational outcomes. Programs include classroom lessons that culminate into a field day at a nearby nature area; and a 515-acre outdoor education camp in Portola, California where youth explore ecosystems, chemistry, and biology while building critical thinking and collaboration skills.
